Game of Thrones: The Mind-Blowing Reason Sam Survived the White Walkers in Season 2

The question of why the White Walkers spared Sam in Game of Thrones season 2 remains one of the show's biggest mysteries. In the beginning of the season, Sam joined the Night's Watch expedition called the Great Ranging and ventured beyond the Wall. After stopping at Craster's Keep, Sam developed a romantic relationship with Gilly. As the group continued their journey to the Fist of the First Men, Sam discovered a stash of Dragonglass, a rare substance capable of killing White Walkers. During a mission to gather fuel, Sam was left behind in a blizzard while the others retreated to the Fist. It was at this moment that an army of wights, led by a White Walker on horseback, appeared. The White Walker seemingly locked eyes with Sam before emitting a screech and leading the army towards the Fist. While the specific reason for the White Walker's decision to spare Sam remains unknown, there have been several intriguing theories surrounding this perplexing event.

Speculations On Why The White Walkers Let Sam Live

The White Walkers spared Sam, despite slaughtering all other living beings, as he could serve as a messenger to spread fear. By witnessing the size of the White Walkers' army, Sam could alert others to the impending danger. This aligns with a similar encounter earlier in the series, where a lone survivor was spared to deliver a message to the Night's Watch. In both cases, the White Walkers deemed the individuals non-threatening and more valuable alive, to instill fear. Given that the original pilot episode depicted the White Walkers speaking their own language, it is not surprising that they employed such tactics.

Meanwhile, in the question of "Why didn't the White Walkers kill Sam?", speculation suggests that the White Walker simply didn't notice Sam. The humanoid briefly shifted his head, which some argue could have been a deliberate tactic to face the camera and evoke fear in the viewers. Nonetheless, the decision to spare Sam played a crucial role in ultimately defeating the Night King, the White Walkers, and their army. Had it not been for Sam and his extensive research, the combined forces of Jon, Daenerys, and their allies would have been unable to safeguard Westeros from the impending invasion.

Mysteries Like This Are What Make The White Walkers So Interesting

The reason behind the White Walker's decision to spare Sam in Game of Thrones season 2 remains a perpetual enigma. This unsolved enigma not only enhances the intriguing allure of the Night King and his wights but also distinguishes the White Walkers from other fantastical undead creatures.

The origins, goals, and ultimate fate of the White Walkers were uncovered in Game of Thrones, but their unique nature and connection to George R.R. Martin's lore leaves lingering questions. Even after the Night King's demise at the hands of Arya Stark, the White Walkers continue to captivate interest. House of the Dragon's revelation of Aegon the Conqueror's dream/prophecy about the Long Night further exemplifies this. The reason behind Sam's survival from the White Walkers remains uncertain. It's possible that the White Walkers were more than mindless zombies, and their intricate motivations made an explicit explanation for Sam's escape unnecessary. Conversely, this ambiguity may be attributed to the writers' questionable execution rather than deliberate mystery. With House of the Dragon's second season and other Game of Thrones spinoffs in development, there is potential for a deeper understanding of the White Walkers' actions and long-term objectives.

A Game Of Thrones Spinoff Should Answer These Questions

Currently, there are six different Game of Thrones spinoffs being developed, and at least one of them must provide an explanation for why Sam was spared by the White Walkers. Although the upcoming House of the Dragon series will not focus on the White Walker threat, other spinoffs have the potential to delve into White Walker lore. The Jon Snow sequel series could explore his journey from a member of the Night's Watch to a Free Folk, allowing for a deeper understanding of how White Walkers operate and why Sam was not targeted. Additionally, there are some prequels that could touch upon the topic of White Walkers. Bloodmoon, which was meant to depict the famous Long Night and the origins of the White Walkers, would have likely provided an answer to the question about Sam's survival if it hadn't been canceled. Since 10,000 Ships primarily takes place in Dorne, The Sea Snake follows the voyages of Corlys Velaryon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight focuses on the Kingsguard, and The Golden Empire explores the reign of the Yi-Ti Dynasty, any further information about the White Walkers from Game of Thrones will have to be revealed in either the Jon Snow series or the untitled animated series.